The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government.
Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant handed over the report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad.
The state government had constituted the SIT on June 13 at the request of the temple trust following allegations of embezzlement of donations received by the Ram Temple.
The issue has triggered a political storm, with Opposition parties launching sharp attacks on the BJP and the Yogi Adityanath government.
Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a CBI-led multi-disciplinary Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged misappropriation of funds.
The petitioner argued that the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government had begun its inquiry without the registration of an FIR or any formal criminal case.
The plea also sought an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities relating to the affairs and administration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The Samajwadi Party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have been at the forefront of criticism of the BJP government over the donation irregularities controversy.
Last week, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh demanded the registration of an FIR against officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging corruption and misappropriation of donations.
Amid the controversy, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit the temple on June 26.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav earlier alleged that the BJP was deliberately delaying the SIT probe to prevent the truth from emerging.
“The SIT should ensure that even the investigation report is not stolen. Then they will again say, wait for 15 more days. The deadline is being extended because evidence is being tampered with,” Yadav said in a social media post on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the SIT has reportedly instructed temple trust officials and functionaries not to leave Ayodhya, as investigators have allegedly found discrepancies in records relating to offerings such as gold, silver and precious stones.
According to temple sources quoted by PTI, investigators found inconsistencies in the documentation and accounting of valuable offerings received by the shrine.
Several office-bearers of the trust were reportedly unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the inventory, storage and accounting of gold and silver ornaments, as well as other valuables donated by devotees.
